Headlamp Restoration

[124500E]

Hello,

since some people like to keep a few pairs of headlamp lenses in stock so that they got a spare, if something happens. People who are in need of new lenses don't get some.

So now i make a virtue of necessity and restoring my headlamp lenses. I started to tear down the headlamp assembly and get out the reflectors:



Together with these plastic frames i will send them to a company who can make a new layer the alumium coating.


The old coating comes of really easily. But the glue that holds the glass and the frame together ist really hard to remove. So as the glass itself. It got baked at 100°C for 30min



Now my next goal is to get the glass looking good again. After a round in the dishwasher they look way better then before but the sand blasting look needs to come of. I talk to an glass master in my town and he said that its possible to sand and polish glass. I will try this and keep you informed!


Greetings Jan

 

[nocfn]

Often, a Dual action orbital polishing device and cutting creme work pretty well.

 

[mayurhuria]

Use cerium oxide or carpro ceriglass polish with ceriglass pads on a rotary polisher and you can have a good clean glass. Although avoid touching inside of glass with your hand and avoid polishes on inside as well.

 

[124500E]

Hello, anybody got a suggestion for the correct glue? I'm thinking on windshield glue but i dont know its reaction to the plastic frame ...?

 

[mayurhuria]

Hello, anybody got a suggestion for the correct glue? I'm thinking on windshield glue but i dont know its reaction to the plastic frame ...?

We use this

Morimoto RetroRubber Butyl Glue Pro Headlight Sealant | TRS SWGPCK1

Seal your headlights up like we do here at the shop with Morimoto RetroRubber Butyl Glue. Pro tools and Pro results. The Retrofit Source

www.theretrofitsource.com

Very good product and even better than butyl

OCI Butyl Glue Headlight Sealant | The Retrofit Source A560

Ensure a waterproof headlight seal every time with the OCI Black Butyl Glue from The Retrofit Source.

www.theretrofitsource.com

which is usually used on headlights but is basically windshield sealant but in different form.

With retro rubber you can easily do
2-3 sets.

Now how to use it
Watch this video

Or for full in depth details watch this one

Retro rubber and butyl works the same way but retrorubber is less tacky so wont dirty/stick to your hands or area inside engine bay etc. But since its harder than butyl so as an additional step, its better to heat the roll for a 2-3 minutes in oven before using it, as it helps in making it more flexible while putting inside headlight.

 

[124500E]

Hello,

i know butyl lines from sealing chassis parts where water intrudes the car.This stuff always stay flexible and don’t hard all the way.

 

[mayurhuria]

Hello,

i know butyl lines from sealing chassis parts where water intrudes the car.This stuff always stay flexible and don’t hard all the way.

Yes as stated above. But it works well and was used widely through out the world until retrorubber was introduced. Thats hard compared to butyl and is not that tacky. It is my now go to product for resealing headlights and I only use butyl when I am out of retrorubber.

 

[124500E]

Things start to get clearer. But I need more 80 sanding paper

 

[gerryvz]

If you are sanding glass, I would be wearing gloves, and perhaps a mask or respirator. The last thing you want to be doing is touching fine particles of glass, let alone breathing them into your lungs.

 

[124500E]

 

[gerryvz]

Ich bin sehr froh, daß Ihre Lungen nicht kaputt sind.

 

[pablo2696]

View attachment 105142
Things start to get clearer. But I need more 80 sanding paper

View attachment 105143

For my headlight lenses, I used a scotch brite stainless steel scrubber and besides feeling very smooth, the glass looks like new

 

[linjam]

View attachment 105142
Things start to get clearer. But I need more 80 sanding paper

View attachment 105143

Do you have photos of the final result? I have an old set of Euro lights, which are no longer available from Mercedes. Perhaps I can try your method on them. Do you have results after trying the 80 sandpaper?

Jamie

 

[124500E]

Hi, the frames are still at the shop for coating....

But the glasses are ready. Total i invest about 3 days of sanding and polishing but the result is not perfect but way better then before.

I post pictures in here when i finished

 

[Heksi]

I have sanded and polished the glasses on my 951 foglights and also SEC’s headlight glasses. It takes a lot of patience and a lot of sandpaper to make a good result!

I got the idea and instruction on m5board, check it out DIY: Fog Light Sanding/Refinishing with Pics

 

[linjam]

I have sanded and polished the glasses on my 951 foglights and also SEC’s headlight glasses. It takes a lot of patience and a lot of sandpaper to make a good result!

I got the idea and instruction on m5board, check it out DIY: Fog Light Sanding/Refinishing with Pics

Wow

 

[linjam]

For my headlight lenses, I used a scotch brite stainless steel scrubber and besides feeling very smooth, the glass looks like new

Can you elaborate on those materials and that process?